Richard Dixon, 73, Was a Retired Police Officer

Richard Dixon (known to his friends as Sooky) died on Jan. 5, after a long illness, at his winter home in Punta Gorda, Fla. He was 73.

Richard served in the Army in 1948 and retired from the New York City Police Department in 1972 after a distinguished career as a detective. He also owned and operated two travel agencies in Manhattan and the Bronx during the 1970s and 1980s.

Richard spent his childhood summers in Martha's Vineyard, continuing his family's multi-generational ownership and management of Shearer Cottage in Oak Bluffs. After his mother, Elizabeth Shearer White, died in 1993, he took an active role in maintaining her Island residence, Twin Cottage, where he had performed in many summer stock plays directed by Ms. White.

Richard and Audrey, his wife of 52 years, relocated to Florida from New Jersey in August of 2001. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Deborah Dixon Toledo, and granddaughter, Shera Toledo. He is also mourned by his son in law, José Toledo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota FL 34238. A memorial gathering for his friends and family will be held on the Island this summer.